We just traveled from Guatemala to Sweden and Germany. Our experiences of the Trip provided us with many topics to write about. However there is one topic that has been on my mind since I started traveling seriously to different parts of the world since 1989.
The issue: the quality of services of the airlines. The golden age of air traveling have long since past. It is getting to be a real pain in the neck to travel. You are treated like a heard of sheep, a nuisance and worse. The staff of some airlines is much better than others, I have to make that distinction, and the best airlines are the Europeans, Asian and Orientals.
There is a phenomenon I have observed for the last 20 years, if you are traveling to a country considered of the First World, the quality of the service, the airplane and even the gate is usually acceptable, although there are serious exceptions.
If you travel to a Third World country, the attitude of the airline staff is usually condescending, rude, they don't even speak the language of that country and if they have something to say they bark. The airplanes are old, dirty, the bathrooms are murky, stinky and I don't think they really pass the hygiene inspections. There are no pillows and no blankets. Even if you are freezing to death because they decide to put on the impossible air condition on freezing levels, if you ask for a blanket, there is no blanket in economy class. If they have them, they are often of lesser quality, not fresh and clean like in business and first class.
This time we traveled with Lufthansa from Miami to Frankfurt, it was a good experience. The attention given especially to families with small children and babies is exceptional. The German staff is well trained and keeps it's cool, they are friendly.
However, from Guatemala to Miami and back, we traveled with American Airlines. The change to American Airlines was a shock. I had just received friendly and acceptable treatment in Lufthansa. In American Airlines I got my boarding pass ripped out of my hand twice because they think we can not read to find our seats. They do not ask for the boarding pass, they just rip it out of your hand and tell you where to sit. Several times we where directed in the wrong direction by the staff of American Airlines - so who can read and who can't? They treat you like a 3 year old child that has to be scolded and put in its rightful place. You can sit, but not make noise, you do not get up, you do not ask for an additional cup of water, you do not disturb the staff, or else.
Their attitude towards the passengers is rude and condescending, they do not speak even Spanish, or they do not care to use the language if they know it. Who is the illiterate here? The staff serves the beverages once, in a hurry, they slam it on the tray, don't make eye contact. At once when they are finished serving they start to run down the aisle screaming: "garbage, garbage, garbage". Are they afraid we are going to eat the cups or steal them?
In general I get the feeling that the staff considers us, the clients of these flights, as a plague. We pay for our tickets, and the prices from Guatemala to Miami are exorbitant comparing to other routes.
We, the clients pay for their salaries, for their benefits. We the clients have the right to be treated in a way that is dignified and with respect.
For me American Airlines is a real pest, this is the last time in my life I will book a flight with them. I will give my business to TACA.
No wonder the American airlines like Continental, Delta, South West, United Airlines are constantly on the verge of bankrupcy. With that sense of service they should go bankrupt.
I know I am not alone with my indignation and anger. There are websites now that fight for the rights of the passengers, I am going to join them.
And the Miami airport security procedures......... that is a horror story. Comparing it to the same procedures used in European airports I can only ask myself: are the Americans capable of getting one thing right or to learn from other countries? Apparently not.
My next flight to Europe is definitely not going thought the US of A. Even Venezuelas airport with their crazy system is better than the USA.
For my fellow Guatemalans my recommendation is to use non American airlines. They do not deserve you and your money.
Cartoon by www.aviation-humor.com
